The Third Annual San Antonio Cocktail Conference will run Jan. 16-19. It's a four-day event filled with mixology seminars, parties and competitions. The conference is also a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors. Last year, the event drew 3,554 participants. Read The Downtown Blog for more information on this year's conference, and click through the gallery to take a look back at the last two years. less

The Third Annual San Antonio Cocktail Conference will run Jan. 16-19. It's a four-day event filled with mixology seminars, parties and competitions. The conference is also a rare opportunity for local ... more

Photo: EDWARD A. ORNELAS, San Antonio Express-News

The Third Annual San Antonio Cocktail Conference will run Jan.... Photo-2206556.77343 - San Antonio Express-News

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Leslie Tolbert, from the left, and Nykol Tesla get together at the San Antonio Cocktail Conference at Casa Rosa Market Square, Friday, July 26, 2013.

Leslie Tolbert, from the left, and Nykol Tesla get together at the San Antonio Cocktail Conference at Casa Rosa Market Square, Friday, July 26, 2013.

Photo: J. MICHAEL SHORT

Leslie Tolbert, from the left, and Nykol Tesla get together at the... Photo-5078751.77343 - San Antonio Express-News

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Jake Corney prepares a mint julep at Bohanan's on Friday Jan. 6, 2012. Bohanan's has organized the San Antonio Cocktail Conference, the first of its kind for Texas. It's modeled after the Manhattan Cocktail Conference. Please shoot photos of bartenders mixing cocktails, the tools and ingredients they use, such as shakers, large format ice, etc. less

Jake Corney prepares a mint julep at Bohanan's on Friday Jan. 6, 2012. Bohanan's has organized the San Antonio Cocktail Conference, the first of its kind for Texas. It's modeled after the Manhattan Cocktail ... more

Jake Corney prepares a Manhattan at Rome with a View on Friday Jan. 6, 2012. Bohanan's has organized the San Antonio Cocktail Conference, the first of its kind for Texas. It's modeled after the Manhattan Cocktail Conference. less

Jake Corney prepares a Manhattan at Rome with a View on Friday Jan. 6, 2012. Bohanan's has organized the San Antonio Cocktail Conference, the first of its kind for Texas. It's modeled after the Manhattan ... more

Photo: HELEN L. MONTOYA, San Antonio Express-News

Jake Corney prepares a Manhattan at Rome with a View on Friday Jan.... Photo-2053772.77343 - San Antonio Express-News

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Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.77343 - San Antonio Express-News

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Jake Corney prepares a Ivy Gimlet on Friday Jan. 6, 2012. Bohanan's has organized the San Antonio Cocktail Conference, the first of its kind for Texas. It's modeled after the Manhattan Cocktail Conference. Please shoot photos of bartenders mixing cocktails, the tools and ingredients they use, such as shakers, large format ice, etc. less

Jake Corney prepares a Ivy Gimlet on Friday Jan. 6, 2012. Bohanan's has organized the San Antonio Cocktail Conference, the first of its kind for Texas. It's modeled after the Manhattan Cocktail Conference. ... more

Attendees kick off the 2nd Annual San Antonio Cocktail Conference Jan. 17, 2013, at the Majestic Theater, where ambassadors of select spirit brands host bars throughout the three levels of the historic theater, crafting and serving a variety of specialty cocktails. less

Attendees kick off the 2nd Annual San Antonio Cocktail Conference Jan. 17, 2013, at the Majestic Theater, where ambassadors of select spirit brands host bars throughout the three levels of the historic theater, ... more

Attendees kick off the 2nd Annual San Antonio Cocktail Conference Jan. 17, 2013, at the Majestic Theater, where ambassadors of select spirit brands host bars throughout the three levels of the historic theater, crafting and serving a variety of specialty cocktails. less

Attendees kick off the 2nd Annual San Antonio Cocktail Conference Jan. 17, 2013, at the Majestic Theater, where ambassadors of select spirit brands host bars throughout the three levels of the historic theater, ... more

Attendees kick off the 2nd Annual San Antonio Cocktail Conference Jan. 17, 2013, at the Majestic Theater, where ambassadors of select spirit brands host bars throughout the three levels of the historic theater, crafting and serving a variety of specialty cocktails. less

Attendees kick off the 2nd Annual San Antonio Cocktail Conference Jan. 17, 2013, at the Majestic Theater, where ambassadors of select spirit brands host bars throughout the three levels of the historic theater, ... more

Attendees kick off the 2nd Annual San Antonio Cocktail Conference Jan. 17, 2013, at the Majestic Theater, where ambassadors of select spirit brands host bars throughout the three levels of the historic theater, crafting and serving a variety of specialty cocktails. less

Attendees kick off the 2nd Annual San Antonio Cocktail Conference Jan. 17, 2013, at the Majestic Theater, where ambassadors of select spirit brands host bars throughout the three levels of the historic theater, ... more